No. 23 Gamecocks Take Down No. 17 Arkansas Saturday Afternoon

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 23rd ranked South Carolina softball team (29-14, 5-9) earned a 2-1 win over 17th ranked Arkansas (29-11, 8-6) Saturday afternoon (April 13) on alumnae day. The game was also the SEC’s annual All For Alex game to benefit Ovarian Cancer research in honor for former Mississippi State player Alex Wilcox.

Carolina spread around offense, as all five hits came from a different starter. Giulia Desiderio did a little bit of everything, finishing with a hit, a run, an RBI, and a walk.

The Gamecock pitching staff held the Razorbacks in check. Jori Heard started in the circle and scattered three hits in two innings of work and struck out two. Sage Mardjetko (7-6) earned the win in relief, throwing 3 1-3 innings, allowing one run on three hits and striking out three. Alana Vawter earned her second save of the season, pitching the final 1 2-3 innings, allowing one hit and recording a strikeout.

Carolina got the ball rolling in the third as Aniyah Black led off the inning with a double. Pinch runner Emma Sellers then went to third on a wild pitch. Desiderio stepped in and delivered a single to left center, scoring Sellers and giving Carolina the lead.

The Gamecocks extended the lead in the fifth with two outs. Desiderio drew a walk and Riley Blampied connected on a first-pitch single to left field. Down 1-2 in the count, Denver Bryant responded with a double to left center, scoring Desiderio from second.

Arkansas scored a run in the sixth and looked to be in a position to tie it. But, for the second straight day, Blampied made a spectacular leaping catch at the wall and fired in to Brooke Blankenship to double off the runner at second to end the inning.

The rubber match of the series is tomorrow at 1 p.m.

For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.